In Japan, it’s traditional to eat at Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas. It’s obviously not an ancient tradition. Rather, it is a marketing ploy that KFC made in 1974. A group of foreigners came into a KFC restaurant searching for a Christmas turkey dinner. They decided that chicken would be an acceptable substitute.

The company saw an opportunity and launched its new advertising campaign. It was straightforward: “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!”—“Kentucky for Christmas!” For about $10, diners could get chicken and wine.

This program became enormously popular with not just foreigners living in Japan, but the Japanese themselves. It’s now a tradition in many families to have Christmas dinner at KFC, even if they have to wait in line for two hours.

This is one of 12 Christmas traditions celebrated around the world that, to Americans, may seem a bit odd. You can read the rest at Flavorwire.